Colombia, located in the northwest corner of South America, is a country of 52 million people with a rich cultural heritage that blends elements brought by immigrants from Europe and the Middle East with those of the African diaspora and various Indigenous civilizations. Spanish is the official language but Creole, English, and 64 other regional languages are recognized. The country has experienced significant armed conflict and political violence, particularly during the 1990s, but has seen substantial improvements in security, stability, and economic growth since 2005, and it is now the third-largest economy in South America. Colombia is one of 17 megadiverse countries, boasting the highest level of biodiversity per square mile globally. Its diverse landscapes include the Amazon rainforest, highlands, grasslands, and deserts, with climates varying by altitude, humidity, winds, and rainfall. It is the only South American country with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Colombian premium cocoa, known as 'Cacao Fino de Aroma,' is cultivated in 29 of the country’s 32 departments, each offering a unique sensorial profile. In fact, ninety-five percent of the beans produced are 'fine-flavoured,' a superior quality that accounts for only 8% of global production. Despite this, Colombia still ranks tenth globally in cocoa production, with 2.8 million hectares of suitable land and exports to over 70 countries.